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Sarah Geronimo: You, too, can be a princess
Sarah Geronimo knows she can’t please everybody. Not everyone cheered her when Disney announced that they have picked her, along with 11 other Asian female celebrities (one of them Kim Chiu) for its 2015 calendar.
The Pop Princess knows her detractors expect a real-life model – someone fairer and blonde – for the Rapunzel character.
“A lot of people are saying hindi ako bagay as Rapunzel. Hindi parang model ang mukha ko,” she told a handful of press people.
Asian princesses
But the battle-scarred veteran of showbiz intrigues shrugged off the criticisms. Sarah knows Disney chose 12 celebs across Southeast Asia to play its fabled princesses because far too many mestizas have landed the coveted role for so long. It’s about time Disney looks for princesses with straight black hair, black eyes and Asian complexion.
The flattered Sarah (‘na-boost ang self-esteem ko’) looks at the decision as more than just a bid to change an age-old system. It's a chance share that royal princess feeling with her Asian sisters.
“The message for young Filipinas is you, too, can be a princess. Believe you’re a princess ‘cause you truly are one. Mga anak tayo ng Diyos.”
Sarah’s take on what a princess is goes beyond the obvious.
Learning from failure
“Ang success o fame, hindi dapat yon basehan ng pagiging prinsesa. (It’s) just being with your loved ones daily. These are things you should be thankful for. Minsan nakakalimutan natin yon.”
Like ordinary mortals, Sarah has bad hair days. But unlike others, Sarah turns failure into a learning experience.
“Minsan, we are trapped in our insecurities, our own fears. Kaya hindi tayo maka let it go (sings the theme of the movie ‘Frozen’). Kailangan tayo mag open up sa mundo at makita how failures and rejection become relevant sa pag-grow natin as a person. In the end, mahirap tingnan at paniwalaan na maganda pala ang failure. Pero totoo. Everything happens for a reason.”
Loosening up
All she need do to smile again is count her blessings.
“Kailangan isipin mo lang na may mga mas may problema pa sa buhay at mas nahihirapan sa yo.”
Sarah also admits she is not perfect, even if her Popsters think she is. Acting as coach of The Voice Philippines has made her conscious of this.
“Patuloy akong binabago ng ‘The Voice.’ Ang dami kong learnings pag nagkakamali ako sa pagsalita.”
Thanks to the ABS reality show, Sarah has learned “not to be afraid to express myself; mas nag-loosen up ako bilang tao, nag-mature.”
Outlook for 2015
Sarah is looking forward to more learnings, now that she started 2015 on the right foot. If she has her way, she’d like to focus on her first love – singing.
“Bilang bahagi ng OPM (Originaly Pilipino Music) industry, may responsibilidad ako na tulungan ito.”
A Star Cinema-Viva project is in the pipeline and Sarah wants to mount a concert before the year ends.
Going international would be nice, but Sarah is careful not to pin her hopes too high.
“Masayang masaya na ako kung ano ang ibinigay ng Diyos sa akin ngayon.”
Gabriela and other causes
Sarah doesn't mind backing Gabriela and embracing other pro-women causes because she’s all for women empowerment.
“Kailangan lang sinasabuhay ko lahat kung ano man ang ihahayag namin sa kanila. Kailangan totoo ako sa sarili ko na ginagawa ko ito talaga. Ayaw kong sumuong na wala akong alam.”
If 2014 saw a braver, bolder Sarah, 2015 promises to be just that, and much, much more.
